OVERVIEW

The coastal area is exposed to many problems. Climate change, beach erosion, cliff instability, sea flooding are the main issues affecting the coastal system, that will be treated in the course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide knowledge of the coastal risks, both short and long term, providing necessary tools to prevent, mitigate and contrast the criticality of the coast, also under climate change scenarios. The topics related to coastal erosion, marine floods and beach safety will be treated to define possible causes and solutions. The students, at the end of the course, will be able to understand and evaluate the dynamics of the coastal systems, in order to identify issues and propose possible solutions, based on an integrated management approach, as required by the framework directive ""Marine Strategy"" and by the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge about coastal risks, both short and long term, providing the necessary tools to prevent mitigate and combat the coastal hazard also in relation to the climate change. The themes related to coastal erosion, marine floods and beach safety will be discussed, the causes and possible solutions will be identified. The student at the end of the course will be able to interpret and evaluate the coastal system, identify problems and indicate solutions, with a view to integrate management of the coastal area, according to the framework directive "Marine Strategy" and the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea.

PREREQUISITES

No specific prerequisites

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises and field activities. Attendance at classes and exercises is strongly recommended. Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations. The exercises are aimed at the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lectures. The exercises will take place in the classroom.

Wave mathematical modelling exercises.

Beach nourishments methods exercises.

Field activities will be carried out along the Ligurian coast.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

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SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Wave propagation: deep water; intermediate water; shallow water. Littoral currents: longshore currents; rip currents. Coastal dynamics: littoral sediments dynamics; beaches morphodynamics; beaches classification; beaches erosion assessment. Coastal defense and beach renovation: design and management aspects of coastal structures; monitoring and assessment of coastal interventions. Sea floods: causes and predisposing factors; predictive mathematical modelling. Beach safety: influence of coastal geomorphology; influence of the coastal defence works; models for risk assessment.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the lessons and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / laboratory exercises.

The books indicated are suggested as supporting text and are available and consultable together with other books for further study at the M.F.N. School Library and at the teacher office.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO FERRARI (President)

PIERLUIGI GIORGIO BRANDOLINI

FRANCESCO FACCINI (President Substitute)

IVANO RELLINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

COASTAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of answering to questions asked by the teacher on topics covered during the course.

Three exam dates will be available in the winter session (January-February) and four exam dates in the summer session (June, July, September) which will be published on the UNIGE website.

Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for teaching for any updates due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of knowledge required will be provided at the beginning of the course.

The oral examination will focus mainly on the topics covered during the lectures, exercises and field activities.

The level of knowledge acquired and the ability to expose will be evaluated. The correct scientific terminology will also be evaluated.

In particular, the student must be able to demonstrate to have acquired the skills in applying the theoretical concepts to the study of coastal system.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.